Help... I have an alpha male!!

[Erin+2]

This is going to sound kinda funny. I am the proud mom of two furkids... Vegas, a 2 1/2 yr old female boxer, and Cash, a 6 1/2 mth old Cavalier King Charles. Thankfully, when I decided to add Cash to the family, Vegas welcomed the little guy with open arms and even took on a motherly role with him. They get along great and overall, I think having two dogs is wonderful.

However, I am having a couple of issues. Surprisingly enough, Cash has managed to establish himself as the alpha male and will often try to steal toys, food, treats, etc from Vegas. I don't tolerate it and this problem is getting better. But, Cash has started marking his territory in the house.... typically marking areas that belong to Vegas. Even when we are at the park, Cash will mark over any spot where Vegas has urinated. The problem is behavioural and not hormonal... I've recently had him neutered.

Initially, I thought it was great that my breeder had trained the pups to use pee pads, but now I'm thinking that this may be part of the problem... I wonder if this actually reinforces the behaviour to pee in the house. I think I have two different issues that I believe are becoming intertwined.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I should approach this?? I'm not a fan of pee pads anyway, so I'm thinking I may have to start the training process from scratch. But, will this help with the alpha behaviour?? It's almost funny at times... this 14 pd pup has total control over a 70 pd boxer and she's sooooo tolerant. If he steals her bone, Vegas will come crying to me to get it back. I'm amazed. Is there anyone else who's experienced this and has some advice??

Thanks in advance...

[PatchO'Pits]

As for the puppy pads, I personally hate that method of training and yes, it does teach them to go in the house and should only be used if you want the dog going in the house on them or in a litter box as some do as the dog matures IMO.

Start crate training and do not let the pup out of your site when he is not crated so that you can immediately correct him if he tries to mark.

I have intact makles and they do NOT mark in the house.

marking over pee outside and leg lifting outside is notrmal accepted before to me but not in the house by any means.

The longer it goes on the harder time you will have stopping him from this habit.

Also make sure you clean where he went totally so that no smell at all to attract him is left

As for him being boss. That is actually the decision you can make as alpha of the house. If you m want the boxer above him you need to make it known or visa versa by doing things such as feeding the top dog first taking them out first and paying attention to them first as well as correcting any unwanted or dominant behaviors you don't want in your home.

Treat and food stealing can be big issues as the pup matures the boxer may no longer tolerate it

Hope that helps